Let’s be honest, it was just two husbands involved in this little experiment—one of whom is my own. Add a few glasses of white wine and a couple of cocktails into the mix, and what do you get? A highly reliable—albeit anecdotal—study that is on its way to being published online. In fact, you might be reading it right now!
The husbands in our study were first asked three simple yes or no questions:
- Was it wrong for Liam to discipline his 4-year-old with a switch?
- Should the NFL have taken stronger action against the video of Jordan hitting his partner?
- Is it wrong for anyone to hack and release private photos of celebrities like Emma Watson and Margot Robbie?
After a couple of drinks, the unanimous responses to these questions were a resounding 1) Yes, 2) Yes, and 3) Yes. The wives conducting the questioning were initially thrilled with their husbands’ responses, but a deeper dive revealed some intriguing complexities.
When asked if their strong opinions would influence their viewership of NFL games or participation in fantasy football leagues, the husbands exclaimed—much too loudly for a cozy restaurant—“No way!”
Researchers were particularly intrigued by the responses regarding the celebrity photo scandal. A full 100% of participants agreed with the statement, “The women whose images were leaked were violated.” This was a comforting result for the questioners. However, when probed further, only 50% of the husbands initially admitted to having looked at the photos. The other half first claimed, “No,” but then quickly changed their tune, stating something like, “I tried, but they were already gone. So, technically, no, I didn’t look.”
When one researcher called them out on this flimsy excuse, suggesting that even clicking the link was akin to condoning the act—perhaps with a tone that might have turned a few heads at nearby tables—the subject chuckled and waved it off. Thankfully, this husband wasn’t married to that particular researcher, which likely saved some post-study tension at home. (The other husband’s retort—“You’re the one getting all the heat, but I got to see the pictures!”—did, however, stir some unease in his… I mean, the second husband’s… household.)
The results left researchers scratching their heads. The data indicated that even “good” men can casually overlook inappropriate behavior, particularly when their fantasy football standings are at stake. But what does this imply about their moral compass? Does it contradict the otherwise strong ethical standards they held fast to before settling down and starting families? How can a researcher reconcile being married to a man who would never harm another person or steal yet seems willing to overlook such actions in others?
Of course, these findings don’t account for external factors, such as the current performance of the Los Angeles Rams or opinions on the dance scenes in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Researchers remain hopeful that with consistent discussion (including pointed Sunday afternoon debates and questioning along the lines of, “What if that were your sister—not that it should matter!”), the husbands can adjust their perspectives, fostering a more appropriate sense of outrage and empathy. Or perhaps not. More research is needed!
This article was originally published on Oct. 2, 2014.
For more insights into home insemination and related topics, check out our other blog posts, such as the one on terms and conditions. If you’re interested in exploring home insemination options, CryoBaby offers a variety of kits that are worth considering. Additionally, Johns Hopkins Medicine provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, this light-hearted exploration reveals the complexity of human ethics in the face of modern dilemmas. It raises critical questions about accountability and social responsibility, especially when personal interests are at stake.